New contract for Ambulance service workers hailed by MLA Rice

Jennifer Rice, the North Coast MLA and the Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health had opportunity on Thursday to hail a new labour agreement between the Province and EHS workers in rural communities, noting how those working in the 60 rural and remote communities will greatly benefit from improved staffing models, more full-time paramedics, and increased on-call rates of pay.  

“Everyone deserves to get reliable access to care, no matter where they live. This announcement will go a long way in supporting rural and remote communities and will help ensure more equitable access to health care.” -- Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health

The Victoria announcmenet also noted of the additional hiring of 271 new full time paramedic positions across BC, with Health Minister Adrian Dix noting on some of the history towards the Thursday announcement.

“Since 2017, our government has been committed to supporting BCEHS’s work to significantly improve paramedic staffing, strengthen and transform ambulance service throughout the province.Today’s announcement by BCEHS is an important step toward providing more equitable access to care for people living in rural and remote communities, and better compensation and work environments for paramedics. I commend the collaboration by BCEHS and CUPE 873 to make things better for paramedics who provide valuable, essential healthcare service to people in B.C.”

The details towards the changes for Ambulance service can be reviewed here.

As part of her commentary, the North Coast MLA noted of the vast territory of the riding that BC EHS works in, the challenges that it provides for and how the changes will improve service across the region.

More notes from the Legislature can be reviewed here.

A look at the work of Emergency Responders across the region is available from our archive page here.